Help us stitch together a brighter future!

Are you a creative problem-solver with a passion for bringing projects to life? Do you love talking with people and building lasting relationships? We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Sales Associate to join our sewing machine store and help our community of makers, creators, and quilters find their perfect tools.

About us

We are more than just a retail store; we are the heart of our local sewing community. We provide the latest high-end sewing and embroidery machines, quality fabrics, and comprehensive classes and workshops. Our team is passionate, supportive, and dedicated to helping every customer achieve their creative vision.

What you'll do

• Identify customers' needs and provide tailored product recommendations and demonstrations for our wide range of sewing, quilting, and embroidery machines.
• Engage with customers and build productive, trusting relationships.
• Achieve and exceed sales targets with an emphasis on customer satisfaction.
• Keep up-to-date with the latest product lines and industry trends.
• Provide exceptional after-sales support, including basic troubleshooting and technical assistance.
• Assist with general retail duties, including preparing merchandise displays and processing transactions.

What you'll bring

• A strong understanding of sewing machines and the sewing industry, or a genuine passion and willingness to learn.
• Proven sales experience with a successful track record.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills that help you connect with people.
• The ability to conduct compelling product demonstrations that build excitement and showcase value.

A highly organized and detail-oriented approach to your work.

What we offer

• Competitive compensation with potential for commission.
• Ongoing professional development and manufacturer training.
• A fun, friendly, and supportive work environment.
• The chance to connect with a passionate and creative community.

Ready to apply your skills?

If you're a self-motivated team player who loves helping people, we want to hear from you. Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your sales experience and your interest in the sewing community.
 

Specific sales experience needed

• Retail sales experience: Experience in a retail environment is highly valuable. It demonstrates your ability to interact with customers face-to-face, process transactions, and handle general store operations.
• A strong track record: For more experienced roles, a proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets is a key indicator of success.
• Product demonstrations: The ability to perform compelling and informative product demonstrations is crucial for selling sewing machines. Successful candidates can build excitement and showcase the value of the product.
• Experience in technical or specialized sales: Any experience you have selling other technical or high-end products can be relevant. This shows an aptitude for understanding and communicating complex product features.
• Relationship selling: Experience in consultative or relationship-based selling is a huge asset. The best sales associates can build rapport and trust with customers to ensure they find the right product for their needs. 

Essential sales skills

Beyond direct work experience, these skills are essential for success in this specific role:

• Active listening: A great sales associate asks questions and listens to the customer's needs and project goals. This is the foundation for providing a personalized recommendation.
• Exceptional customer service: This role is heavily dependent on providing an outstanding customer experience. This includes being friendly, patient, and knowledgeable.
• Problem-solving: Not all sales are straightforward. You must be able to help customers troubleshoot issues or find creative solutions when a particular machine or product is not available.
• Strong communication: You need to be able to explain the features and benefits of complex machines in a clear and engaging way that makes sense to a customer with any skill level.
• Building customer loyalty: The best salespeople in a specialty store can create a bond with their customers. This encourages repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals, which is a major driver of growth for a local business. 

In-store positions

• Retail Sales Associate: Assists customers with finding fabrics, patterns, and supplies, processes transactions, and maintains store displays. Conducts product demonstrations, provides one-on-one lessons for new owners, and assists with troubleshooting questions.
• Fabric Cutter: Measures and cuts fabric accurately for customer purchases and for kits and bundles sold by the store.
• Long-arm Quilter: Operates large, computerized quilting machines to finish customer quilts. Sew And Quilt Stores offer training for candidates with a strong attention to detail.
• Sewing/Quilting Instructor: Develops and teaches classes on various sewing techniques and projects to students of all skill levels.
• Store Manager/Keyholder: Oversees the daily operations of the shop, including staffing, inventory, and customer service. 

• Order Fulfillment Associate: Packages and ships online customer orders from a warehouse or store location. This often includes picking and folding fabrics.

• Ecommerce Specialist: Manages online store functions, customer communications, and order processing for an internet-based quilting business.

• Social Media Manager: Promotes the store and engages with the online sewing and quilting community through social media platforms. 

Technical and repair positions

• Sewing Machine Repair Technician: Performs routine maintenance and repairs on all brands of sewing machines, from vintage to modern models.